Italian dairy producers are finding it increasingly difficult to export their cheeses to India. According to Assolatte (the Italian dairy industries association), a new non-tariff barrier adopted by India has caused cheese export sales to plummet since the beginning of 2021: -60% in volume, and -62% in value. The cause is a unilateral modification of the veterinary certificate that is now required to import Italian cheeses into India. The problem is the use of animal rennet in the production of cheeses: an ingredient that does not comply with Hindu religious dictates.
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The import of cheeses made with animal rennet has always been a hot topic in India. While in the past an agreement had been reached with Indian authorities, which required the declaration of the use of animal rennet in product labels, with the new veterinary certificate the import of this type of cheeses is precluded.
The dramatic collapse of exports to India reaches its peak if we look at the figures for Parmigiano Reggiano PDO and Grana Padano PDO. Sales have lost 92% in volume and 90% in value respectively (Source: Assolatte). “The problem – says Paolo Zanetti, president of Assolatte – is particularly serious for PDO Italina cheeses, whose production regulations require the use of animal rennet. We have great respect for religious and cultural choices, but we find this ban incomprehensible. Assolatte has requested the involvement of the European Commission, the competent Italian Ministries and the Italian ambassador in New Delhi in order to reach a solution soon.”